Whether you like your Brandy Old Fashioned sweet or sour, this Wisconsin take on the classic cocktail is the perfect drink for sipping as you grill up some brats or enjoy a classic fish fry.
If you’ve spent any time in Wisconsin, and cocktails are your thing, then you’ve probably tasted the unofficial state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned.
It’s so widely popular that native Wisconsinites refuse to believe that an Old Fashioned cocktail uses anything other than brandy.
The Old Fashioned Cocktail
The Old Fashioned Cocktail takes up its place in the list of the most basic classic cocktails along with the Martini and the Manhattan.
The Old Fashioned started as a simple combination of Whisky, Angostura bitters, sugar, and water. But, as it grew in popularity, so did the variations.
A Brandy Old Fashioned
Why brandy?
Apparently at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, a new brandy distiller from California called Korbel was sampling their spirits.
Korbel began pouring the classic “Old Fashioned” whiskey cocktail using brandy, and the German crowd from Milwaukee took to the brandy and the cocktail in a big way.
(So much so, in fact, that Korbel still sells more brandy in Wisconsin than in any other individual state.)
Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet or Sour?
Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet or Sour?In Wisconsin, the default way to make a Brandy Old Fashioned is with a splash of Sprite or 7-up, making it “sweet.”
But, don’t think you have to stop there.
You can also make it with sour mix or a sour soda (often Squirt), making it “sour.” You can get fancy, and make it “press,” with a combination of 7-up and seltzer. Or, you can skip all the fanciness and simply add seltzer.
Don’t Forget To Garnish
While the bubbly filler is up to your discretion, the orange and cherry garnish for a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned is non-negotiable.
In fact, to give a bit of added fruit flavor to the drink, some bartenders will muddle orange slices and cherries with the bitters and sugar. That’s how we prefer ours and the way we’ve crafted our recipe below.
If you don’t have a muddler, don’t worry. Just mix the drink without muddling (do be sure the sugar gets dissolved in the first step) and simply squeeze the orange slice you use for garnish into the drink for that extra splash of flavor.
Cheers!
Whether you like your Brandy Old Fashioned sweet or sour, this Wisconsin take on the classic cocktail is the perfect drink for sipping as you grill up some brats or enjoy a classic fish fry.
Yield: 1 cocktail
- ½ tsp sugar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 orange slice (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 Maraschino cherries or brandied cherries (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 oz brandy
- 2-3 ice cubes
- Sprite, 7-up, Squirt, sour mix, or seltzer (as desired to top off the drink)
- Place the sugar, bitters, orange slice, and cherries in an Old Fashioned glass. Add a splash of water. Muddle*, being careful to avoid the orange rind, until the sugar has dissolved.
Add the brandy and a couple of ice cubes. Stir.
- Top the drink off with your choice of soda, sour mix, or seltzer.
- Garnish with a skewered orange slice and cherry, if desired.
*If you don't have a muddler, don't worry. Just mix the drink without muddling (do be sure the sugar gets dissolved in the first step) and simply squeeze the orange slice you use for garnish into the drink for that extra splash of flavor.
Great recipe! Depending on how far ”Up North’ you get there are a few differences. I didn’t see orange slices on an old fashion till far after my 21st in a fancier bar. Olives, brussel sprouts, and mushrooms are classic toppings to Old Fashions where I’m from. Probably the most classic order I hear is a Brandy Old Fashion sweet with olives (but that’s from my family!), cherry’s would be a close second. Thanks for sharing!
How interesting! We’ve never seen them served with savory toppings like that. So fun!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little
homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch due
to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your internet site.
Glad this recipe gained you lunch! Hope your co-worker enjoys it!
literslly just use the back of a spoon, spatula, flipper with a large round end if you dont have a “muddler”
Very true!
I just came back from Wisconsin Dells, where I had my very first Old Fashioned cocktail. This recipe sounds exactly how the bartender made it. Excited to try .
Hope you enjoy it!
We moved from WI after 71 years and been in Pensacola Florida for 3!…Believe me bartenders here have no clue on how to make them!!Don’t miss the weather, but miss the neighborhood bars and my Korbel old fashioned press! Just make at home!..Everything you said about WI is so true!!
Thanks Joy! It’s so funny how specific we are with our Old Fashioneds! But other places just don’t get it! Enjoy the FL weather!
Ishnala old fashioned?
I wonder Dee! The Ishnala Supper Club is definitely known for their Old Fashioned drinks.
Does the bitters actually add sweetness to the old fashion.?
Bitters actually taste, well, bitter. I personally wouldn’t take a teaspoon of them straight. But, by adding just a few drops to a drink they work to add a really unique depth of flavor that is characteristic of this drink. Enjoy!
I have one each evening. I do them just about the way you described. Only one though!!!
They are such a good drink to relax with at the end of a day!
This brandy old fashioned looks refreshing. I’ll definitely try this one, thanks for the recipe.
We hope you enjoy it!
One small but critical substitution: drop the maraschino cherry in favor of fresh Door County Cherries! That’s the Wisco Way
Yes! A fresh Door County Cherry would be the perfect addition!
I’m currently reading “The Devil in the White City.” It’s about the Chicago World Fair (and a serial killer), I wonder if they’ll mention the cocktail! I’ve actually never had an Old Fashioned, buy my MIL enjoys them.
How fun! (Well, maybe not the serial killer part.) It would be interesting to do some more reading on the Chicago Worlds Fair!
Just finished Devil in the White City, loved the book but don’t think there was mention of an old fashioned.Love them too but can’t get a good one in TX. It’s all about the whisky here.
You know I’ve not had an old fashioned, but might have to change that!
If you like brandy and orange, this is a nice one to try first!
Yes and try it with coca cola for the sweet!! Yummo
I can see how that would be tasty!
This is one cocktail I never tried. I think I’d try the sweet version first!
Good choice! Cheers!
I love the history behind this! Thank you for sharing! Now I have to try this several different ways. 🙂
Thanks Sara!
My parents used to drink manhattans all the time! Obviously popular throughout the Midwest! So pretty with the orange slices
Classic cocktails are so fun to play around with!
What’s not to love about this libation!?? It’s getting pinned to the Beverage Board and will be served along side our beloved Beer Brats the next time we make them! Thanks for the great recipe!
That sounds like a proper Wisconsin cookout!
Nice! I love an Old Fashioned! Now I need the bitters!
Bitters are such a great addition to the home bar. They add a really nice dimension to cocktails!
This looks wonderful and refreshing!
Thanks Teri!
How fun, Sarah! Thanks for the inspiration. I love the history, too.
Thanks Camilla!
Hmm, Brandy Old Fashioned? Sounds tempting. Your photos are beautiful.
Thanks Eileen!
How interesting about the brandy sales in Wisconsin. Who knew? That is one lovely libation you’ve got there!
We might be known for our beer, but we do love our brandy! 😉 Thanks Stacy!
I’ve never had a Brandy Old Fashioned, but I’m going to have to try one now!
We hope you enjoy it Rachel!
Ohh this I love to relax to after a busy day!! Cheers!
These are the perfect way to end a busy day!
Sarah, this sounds like a great cocktail to me!
They are such a fun twist on the classic cocktail!